The 2019/20 HPV programme for schools has just been launched, with boys being included this year for the first time.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that almost all sexually active people will get at some stage in their lives. There are over 100 types of HPV infection and most are harmless and will clear up by themselves.

However some HPV infections can cause genital warts and HPV-related cancers, including cervical, vaginal and throat cancer in females and penile, anal and throat cancer in males.

Up to 100 women and 30 men die every year in Ireland from HPV-related cancers, but the HPV vaccine protects against nine out of 10 of these cancers.

Ireland's national HPV vaccination programme has been in place since 2010, with all girls offered the vaccine in their first year of secondary school. However, 2019 marks the first year that boys will also be offered the vaccine.

According to the HSE, uptake of the vaccine is around 70%, up from just 50% in 2017. The fall in uptake in recent years was largely due to the spread of misinformation about the safety of the vaccine.

However, studies into the vaccine involving over one million people over a 13-year period, have found it to be safe. Furthermore, the vaccine is strictly monitored by international bodies including the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency.

One of the biggest campaigners for the HPV vaccine was Laura Brennan, who died of cervical cancer at the age of 26 last March. She had worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of getting vaccinated.

Speaking at the launch of the 2019/20 campaign, Laura's family said they intend to continue her work following her death six months ago.

"Laura poured herself into this campaign, knowing every time she told her story, it had the potential to save a life. The increase in the uptake rates of the HPV vaccine in last year's first year girls is bittersweet for us - we're delighted that Laura has played a part in helping to protect so many more young people from HPV cancers," commented her brother, Kevin Brennan.

He welcomed the news that boys can also avail of the vaccine this year, but said he wished his sister were here to see it.

"We're all very aware of Laura's absence today and how much she would have loved to share this occasion. As Laura would say, get the facts, get the vaccine, protect our future," he added.

Also speaking at the launch, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said that this is "an important milestone on the path to our ultimate goal - the effective eradication of cervical cancer".

"In all that we do to advance that goal, we continue to be inspired by one incredible woman who is sadly no longer with us. It is always with great gratitude that we remember Laura Brennan.

"We might have been launching this latest campaign with uptake for the vaccine still as low as 50%, but thanks to Laura's passionate advocacy, we are building now from an increased rate of 70%," he commented.

He encouraged parents to always seek credible and accurate information so that they can make an informed decision.

"Get the facts at www.immunisation.ie and ensure that your children receive this life-saving vaccine. I would also like to remind parents that it is not too late for girls who missed the vaccine in previous years. Any parents who have reconsidered their decision and are seeking the vaccine for their daughters can use the HSE catch-up service," Minister Harris said.

Meanwhile, according to Dr Lucy Jessop, director of the HSE's National Immunisation Office, over 60,000 information packs will be delivered to schools this week in advance of the HSE vaccination teams starting their scheduled visits to secondary schools in September.

"We are now coming into a time where we could eliminate certain types of cancer caused by the HPV virus and what a great legacy this would be to leave our children and grandchildren.

"We can only achieve this by continuing to work together to share the facts about the HPV vaccine and the HPV virus and ensuring high uptake of the vaccine as part of the HSE school immunisation programme. I encourage parents to read the information from the HSE and speak to a trusted health professional if they have any questions before signing the consent form for their child," Dr Jessop said.

For more information on the HPV vaccination programme in schools, click here.